This summer, as temperatures soared and groundwater depletion created more San Joaquin Valley sinkholes, Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, put forth legislation to fast-track conservation of underground water supplies.

The proposal was modest: Delay drilling in overdrafted basins until the state’s new groundwater law takes hold in earnest. The bill squeaked through the Senate. Then the agricultural lobbies and the California Chamber of Commerce put it out of its misery.

“Drill, baby, drill” has since been the unofficial motto of California’s ag counties, in a trend that makes Wolk’s worries look quaint now.

There were high hopes going into water year 2016. To hear some forecasters and scientists tell it, El Niño was coming to save California. With a little luck and a lot of rain, the drought might finally recede in its fifth year — or at least loosen its grip on the state.The weather phenomenon did show up, fueling some storms in Northern California. But it fell far short of the lofty expectations. On Friday, water year 2016 ended with a whimper.

Escondido’s latest plan to build a recycled water treatment plant in the center of the city is drawing protests from residents in a nearby retirement home and other neighbors. The new site, at the southwest corner of Washington Avenue and Ash Street, is surrounded by mostly commercial properties, but is right next door to a retirement facility called The Springs of Escondido, where dozens of residents have signed a petition objecting to the city’s plans.

The San Diego County Water Authority reiterated Friday that the region has sufficient supply to meet expected demand next year and beyond, but efficient water use by customers remains essential. The agency, which distributes water to 24 cities and water districts in the county, previously stated in filings with state water authorities that there would be enough supply for the next three years, even if they were dry. The status was confirmed at a media briefing today, one day before the traditional start of the water year.

https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Ed Joycehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngEd Joyce2016-09-30 07:59:122018-06-26 18:22:33San Diego County Water Authority: Water Use Down 18-Percent

Water Authority Twitter

Purified water from the East County Advanced Water Purification Project will ... undergo additional processing at Helix Water District’s R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant after being be piped into the district’s Lake Jennings reservoir. https://bit.ly/2XynBNi #cawater #WaterRecycling

Purified water from the East County Advanced Water Purification Project will ... undergo additional processing at Helix Water District’s R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant after being be piped into the district’s Lake Jennings reservoir. https://bit.ly/2XynBNi #cawater #WaterRecycling

The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on May 28 voted to adopt a resolution supporting a comprehensive evaluation of detachment proposals by the Rainbow and Fallbrook water districts. Details here: bit.ly/2MAkKwU... see moresee less